A Novel 50kW 11,000 suns High-Flux Solar Simulator Based on an Array of Xenon Arc Lamps
- 25 August 2006
- journal article
- Published by ASME International in Journal of Solar Energy Engineering
- Vol. 129 (4), 405-411
- https://doi.org/10.1115/1.2769701
Abstract
A novel high-flux solar simulator, capable of delivering over 50kW of radiative power at peak radiative fluxes exceeding 11,000 suns, is operational at the Paul Scherner Institute. It comprises an array of ten Xe arcs, each close-coupled with ellipsoidal specular reflectors of common focus. Its optical design, main engineering features, and operating performance are described. The Monte Carlo ray-tracing technique is applied to optimize the geometrical configuration for maximum source-to-target transfer efficiency of radiative power. Calorimeter measurements indicated an average flux of 6800kW∕m2 over a 60-mm-diameter circular target, which corresponds to stagnation temperatures above 3300K. This research facility simulates the radiation characteristics of highly concentrating solar systems and serves as an experimental platform for investigating the thermochemical processing of solar fuels and for testing advanced high-temperature materials.Keywords
This publication has 10 references indexed in Scilit:
- A New 75 kW High-Flux Solar Simulator for High-Temperature Thermal and Thermochemical ResearchJournal of Solar Energy Engineering, 2003
- Beam Characterization and Improvement with a Flux Mapping System for Dish ConcentratorsJournal of Solar Energy Engineering, 2002
- A New High-Flux Solar Furnace for High-Temperature Thermochemical ResearchJournal of Solar Energy Engineering, 1999
- Design of a Multiple-Lamp Large-Scale Solar SimulatorJournal of Solar Energy Engineering, 1994
- A new solar simulator to study high temperature solid-state reactions with highly concentrated radiationSolar Energy Materials, 1991
- Performance characterization of the SERI High-Flux solar furnaceSolar Energy Materials, 1991
- Exchange factor between two spheres placed at the foci of a specularly reflecting ellipsoidal cavityInternational Communications in Heat and Mass Transfer, 1991
- Solar energy absorption efficiency of an ellipsoidal receiver-reactor with specularly reflecting wallsEnergy, 1988
- Development of a simple low-cost solar simulator for indoor collector testingApplied Energy, 1985
- Radiant Interchange Among Curved Specularly Reflecting Surfaces—Application to Cylindrical and Conical CavitiesJournal of Heat Transfer, 1965